Dr. Saad Masri

Dr. Saad Masri

Advisor

A molecular virologist, Dr. Masri has a BSc in Biology, MSc, and PhD in Plant Virology. He has worked as a Research Associate for the Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Research Scientists at the Animal Diseases Research Institute, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, and Research Scientist for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the Transmedical for Life Canada agency.

Professional Background

• 1982-1987 Research Associate, Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta.
• 1988 –1999: Research Scientist, Animal Diseases Research Institute, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada/Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), Lethbridge, Alberta Canada.
• 1992 – 2002: Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta.
• 1999- 2014: Research Scientist, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Sidney Laboratory, Sidney, BC, Canada.
• 2014-2016: Research Scientist Transmedical for Life Canada, Calgary Alberta.

Education

• 1970 B.Sc. Department of Biology, American University of Beirut, Beirut Lebanon.
• 1973 M.Sc. American University of Beirut, Beirut Lebanon.
• 1986 Ph.D. Department of Plant Virology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta.

Expertise

• Production of monoclonal, polyclonal and recombinant antibodies against animal and plant viruses.
• Gene cloning and protein expression.
• Developing human monoclonal antibodies and humanized antibodies.

Work Done for the Department of Defence Canada

• Detection and identification of genetically modified organisms.
• Development of single domain antibodies against zoonotic diseases such as anthrax, Alpha viruses (Eastern Equine Encephalitis, Western Equine Encephalitis, and Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis).Contract with DND, Suffield Alberta.
• Development of single domain antibodies and penta-bodies for the detection of anthrax spores. Contract with DND, Suffield Alberta.
• Development of single domain antibodies for the differentiation between Bacillus anthraces spores and other related bacilli spores. Contract with DND, Suffield Alberta.
• Developing of pseudo-type virus for Eastern Equine Encephalitis, Rift Valley Virus and Lassa fever. Contract with DND, Suffield Alberta.
• Construction of pseudotyped lentivirus expressing envelope proteins of Ebola virus (Phase I- FY 2014-2015). Contract with DND, Suffield Alberta.